Many people already at a young age begin to numb hands. Should this phenomenon cause concern, or does it not really matter? In the end, if you ask a doctor about this, he will answer that numbness of the hands is not the most common complaint among healthy people. Find out in the article why if your fingers become numb, you should first contact a doctor.
Firstly, it is important to understand that if any part of the body goes numb, this indicates that the nervous supply to this area has been stopped. Often the fingers become numb during sleep: when you sleep, some nerve, which runs from the neck to the arm, contracts. The key to healthy functioning of the nervous system is good blood circulation.
If pressure is exerted on the nerve, blood supply is suspended, and the nerve, in the end, experiences oxygen starvation, and also suffers from a lack of nutrients. If blood supply is soon restored, the nerve as if wakes up again after relieving pressure. However, prolonged oxygen starvation associated with a lack of oxygen leads to a weakening of the nerve: by the way, it is slightly damaged each time it experiences a lack of oxygen.
Numb fingers: reasons
What causes numbness? What is its nature? Does numbness in any part of the hands pose a health hazard? After all, why are my fingers getting numb? Let us consider this phenomenon in more detail. Cramps or numbness in the hands can be caused by something normal, for example, sleeping in the wrong position can block blood circulation. But on the other hand, if your hands go numb not only in a dream, then this does not necessarily have to do with the position of your body. This unpleasant sensation, which sometimes manifests itself in other parts of the body, can indicate the development of serious diseases.
Our hands contain some of the most sensitive sensory receptors in the whole body. And all these sensory receptors are connected to our central nervous system, that is, the brain. If even one of these nerves (or some part of the nerves) is impaired or somehow damaged, our brain stops receiving all the sensory information that the nerve endings in the hands send.
It is as a result of the cessation of interaction between the nerve endings and the brain that numbness occurs. So, for example, if the left arm is numb, then the nerve leading from the brain to the arm is pinched. Of course, this phenomenon may be due to a temporary cessation of blood supply to the nerve, caused, for example, by the transmission of a nerve during sleep. However, numbness can also indicate the development of complex diseases.
Reason # 1: cervical (spinal) stenosis or arthritis
The most popular and common reason why the hand goes numb is cervical or, as it is also called, spinal stenosis. Also, numbness often causes arthritis of the cervical-vertebral bones. The thing is that a violation of the structure of the skeleton leads to pinching of the nerves, and therefore to problems in their healthy functioning.
If the right hand is numb in a dream, the reason for this is that the neck is in the wrong position at night. It is interesting that a cervical collar for sleeping will help get rid of this phenomenon during night rest, which helps the neck to take an optimal position.
Reason # 2: thoracic exit syndrome
Thoracic exit syndrome is a violation of the nerves in the shoulder. This disease is a common and already common problem for modern computer users, since most people do not monitor their posture while using a computer. As a result, the shoulder and head come forward - this leads to compression of the nerve. Actually, this disease is often the explanation of why the hand goes numb.
Reason # 3: carpal tunnel syndrome
Doctors say that one of the most common causes of numbness in the hands is carpal tunnel syndrome - a condition in which the median nerve, which connects the forearm and arm, gets pinched in the wrist. This often happens with people who spend a lot of time working at a computer.
Especially dangerous is the position of the hand, in which you put your wrist on the edge of the table or on a hard surface, for example, when you type text or control the mouse. Any other manual work can also overload the wrists: the use of scissors, tools, sewing - all this can disrupt the healthy functioning of the nerve endings in the hand.
It is important to note that the symptoms of the carpal tunnel include sensations of bloating or tingling of one or more fingers, especially the thumb, index and middle. Accordingly, if, for example, the index finger of the right hand is numb , the cause may be hidden in carpal tunnel syndrome. Experts recommend using simple wrist rests - they will be an excellent prevention of numbness in the hands.
Reason # 4: Tennis Elbow
Among tennis players and fans of other sports who require repeated and active twisting of their hands in the wrist or elbow, there is a high risk of developing a disease called a “tennis elbow”. It is associated with wear or weakening of the tendons that envelop the elbow. At that time, in the late stages of development, the “tennis elbow” tends to be manifested by pain in the elbow or forearm.
The earliest signs of the disease are numbness or tingling of the hands. If you observe numbness of the hands after physical exertion, you need to take a short break in training and be sure to inform your doctor about it.
Reason # 5: thyroid disease
This may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but an upset thyroid can actually lead to numbness of the arm. An abnormal thyroid gland or hypothyroidism can damage nerves that transmit information from your brain and spinal cord to the rest of your body.
It is worthwhile to pay special attention to the functioning of the thyroid gland if, in addition to, for example, the little fingers on the hands go numb, other symptoms of thyroid diseases also appear: weight is increasing or you are constantly experiencing cold.
Reason # 6: cysts
Ganglion cysts are not cancerous tumors. They can form anywhere in the human body, but usually appear in the joints. And if a cyst forms on the wrist, then numbness is a common symptom of this phenomenon.
Sometimes such cysts pass on their own. If this does not happen, and their development is accompanied by pain, numbness, then surgical intervention is necessary. Most often this is an aspiration procedure.
Reason # 7: Guillain-Barré Syndrome
If the right arm and leg are numb, the cause may be hidden in Guillain-Barré syndrome. This is an autoimmune disorder in which the human immune system mistakenly attacks nerves, causing damage to them, which, in turn, can lead to numbness of the arm.
Most studies link Guillain-Barré syndrome to dengue fever and some other viral infections. If you have suffered from any infection and are currently experiencing weakness, tingling, or numbness in your hands or feet, consult a doctor immediately.
Reason # 8: alcohol addiction
Neuropathologists argue that prolonged active use of alcohol can lead to "alcoholic neuropathy" or nerve damage. If your right arm is numb, the reason may be hiding in excessive drinking.
About 50% of people who abuse alcohol suffer from numbness in their arms or legs, as well as a strange sensation of “needles” in their limbs, muscle weakness and cramping. Try to give up alcohol. You will immediately notice how the “numbness” of the limbs disappears or becomes a much rarer guest.
Reason # 9: Lyme Disease
Does the right arm or other limbs go numb? It is likely that this is Lyme disease - a disease transmitted through a tick bite. In fact, Lyme disease symptoms also include severe fatigue, skin rashes, and flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, or body aches). Joint pain and numbness of the hands or limbs - may indicate the late stages of Lyme disease.
Reason # 10: multiple sclerosis
Interestingly, if the left arm is numb, the cause may be multiple sclerosis. This disease is characterized by the fact that the human immune system attacks a fatty substance that protects the nerve fibers of the central nervous system. This, in turn, can lead to numbness of the hands.
It is important to understand that multiple sclerosis can overtake a person at any age. In addition, women suffer from this disease twice as often as men.
Reason # 11: a stroke
You should also not exclude the option in which numbness or tingling of the hands may be associated with a stroke. Of course, along with impaired functioning of the limbs, other symptoms of stroke appear, for example, a crooked smile, slurred speech, dizziness, and blurred vision.
It is worth noting that a stroke can affect a person, even if he is young. So, about 10% of all victims of the disease are younger than 45. Also remember that maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle does not guarantee the absence of a risk of stroke.
Reason # 12: unhealthy diet and an unhealthy lifestyle
Excess weight, lack of training, malnutrition or eating disorders can all lead to swelling of the legs and arms. So, fluid retention in the body can lead to tingling and numbness of the limbs.
Vitamin B deficiency can lead to frequent numbness in the hands. In general, an improper diet and a lack of vitamins can lead to fatigue, drowsiness, pallor of the skin, and the feeling that you are experiencing tachycardia.
Reason # 13: diabetes
Many people know that frequent urination, excessive thirst and high blood sugar are all signs of prediabetes - or a condition where the risk of developing diabetes is excessively high. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor immediately.
It is important to note that the development of full-blown type II diabetes can lead to frequent numbness of the hands. If the right arm is numb, it is likely that it is caused by nerve damage resulting from the development of diabetes.
It is important to remember that simply numbing your hands at night may not be a great danger, but if you increasingly notice this phenomenon with your limbs, then consult a specialist immediately. Numbness in the hands is often ignored by doctors who are not experts in the field of musculoskeletal treatment, but take this seriously and find out what the main reason is.
The left arm, right arm or legs is numb - all this may indicate, as indicated above, the development of serious and dangerous diseases. So, even just a pinched nerve can lead to a weakening or loss of sensory nerve endings, or constant pain in the shoulders, elbows and arms. It is important to provide the patient with timely help, otherwise there may be a need for surgery.
Numbness of hands: how to fight
Is it possible to cure numbness of hands with folk remedies? Of course, if the cause of numbness lies in poor nutrition, an unhealthy lifestyle, or overwork, the following methods can help ease discomfort.
- Before going to bed, drink a tablespoon of flaxseed oil. Medical research suggests that it is an effective anti-inflammatory drug that has a special effect on the limbs. It can relieve discomfort or completely relieve numbness in the hands with regular use.
- Perform hand soaking in cold fresh water. Add a few ice cubes to the bath - this will make the procedure much more effective. How will it help if, for example, the fingers on the left hand go numb? Such therapy will relieve pressure and relieve inflammation, improve the functioning of nerve endings and reduce pain. Do the procedure before bedtime. You will notice that this will greatly alleviate your condition.
- Reduce your salt intake or temporarily eliminate it from your diet. Avoid spicy foods, as well as foods that are prohibited with high acidity of the stomach. They increase inflammation and pain - it is better to get rid of them.
- Drink at least two liters of water per day: if you have numb fingers on your left hand, then maintaining water balance is one of the most important points of treatment. For example, you can make a drink from artichoke: it has numerous diuretic and cleaning properties, and helps prevent fluid retention in the body. All you need to do is boil a few artichokes in the water, filtering it out later. Then mix with half lemon juice.
- Be sure to enrich your diet with vitamin B. Tuna, potatoes, bananas and all other leafy green vegetables in large quantities contain this essential vitamin. In addition, do not neglect the additives from the pharmacy or health food stores, which can equally supplement your diet and make you healthier.
- If you have to do monotonous manual work involving using your hands and wrists for several hours, be sure to wear a compression bracelet. It will provide the arm area with sufficient pressure and protect your nerves and joints, and also help prevent overloading them.
Of course, if you suffer from the fact that your fingers are numb on your left hand or even your whole hand, and folk remedies and carrying out the above procedures do not alleviate the suffering, then it is imperative to consult with a specialist. After all, there are a lot of reasons for numbness, and only a professional can establish the true one.
Output
Numbness in your hands usually causes damage, irritation, or pinching of one of the nerves or nerve branches in your hand or wrist. Diseases such as diabetes, usually affecting the peripheral nerves, can also cause numbness. Although with this disease, numbness usually begins with the legs.
In very rare cases, numbness can be caused by malfunctions of the central nervous system, although in such cases weakness or hand failure also occurs. Numbness is often associated with potentially life-threatening disorders, such as strokes or tumors.
Your doctor will need detailed information about your symptoms in order to diagnose the cause of numbness in your limbs, so before you go to a specialist, carefully study the nature of numbness, analyze your lifestyle, diet and habits. Remember that before starting treatment, you need to find out the causes of the disease.